LETTER: Newton Power Choice should be opt-in, not out

Wednesday

May 2, 2018 at 1:27 PMMay 2, 2018 at 1:27 PM

To the editor:

A more consumer-friendly Newton Power Choice (NPC) aggregation plan would be an “opt-in” plan. Residents should have the opportunity to read the specific elements of the city’s plan and make their own choice of electric provider based on their individual needs.

An information brochure containing an opt-out card sent to residents, who didn’t request a change, may be overlooked and thrown away. Many of those missing the opt-out message may be among the most vulnerable and adversely affected of our residents. Because Eversource continues to provide the bill, as pointed out by Ms. Berwick, many customers may not realize for months or years that their account has been changed.

Ms. Berwick also mentioned that electric rates will be stabilized under NPC. According to the State Utility Commission’s Consumer Division, Eversource is required to shop for electric power every January and July to keep rates at market levels, which are passed through to their customers.

I prefer market rates to stable rates. I prefer calls and emails from someone trying to gain me as a customer, as opposed to being signed on without my explicit permission.

Also according to the Consumer Division, residents have the option to preemptively “lock” their Eversource account to prevent any aggregator or electric provider from changing their account.

The city should implement an opt-in plan and be required to earn their customers by convincing residents that the city’s plan benefits them individually and not by imposing a definition of good or beneficial “that the city decides on” without the resident’s prior agreement.